The eight year old Costa Cruises vessel was on the first leg of a cruise around the Mediterranean Sea when she deviated from her planned route at the Isola del Giglio, sailed closer to the island, and struck a rock formation on the sea floor.

A six-hour rescue effort brought most of the passengers ashore.

Many blamed the ship's captain Francesco Schettino, who left the ship shortly after the sinking began leaving behind the crew and passengers.[1][2]